Garmin550 or 660?

[Borderbob]

Help please, lost my 550 recently and so need to replace. To be honest, I wasn't that impressed with the 550: - computing speed, crashing, etc eventually got Garmin to replace. Excellent after sales service but boy don't you need it!

1.If I was sticking with Garmin, would you advise getting another 550 or

2. should I pay a little more and get a 660?

OR...

3. should I go Tom Tom rider.

I know there's other threads on here but just wonder what the latest thinking is.

Advice anyone...

 

[Borderbob]

Bounce

 

[John Armstrong]

The 550 is becoming obsolescent, eg whole of EU doesn't fit onto the built in memory, which may not be an issue for you. The 660 is more configurable, IMO, which is better.

One thing to think for you is the cost of buying the extra mounts etc for the 660.

If my 660 packed up, I'd not save the few quid and buy a 550

 

[Borderbob]

The 550 is becoming obsolescent, eg whole of EU doesn't fit onto the built in memory, which may not be an issue for you. The 660 is more configurable, IMO, which is better.

One thing to think for you is the cost of buying the extra mounts etc for the 660.

If my 660 packed up, I'd not save the few quid and buy a 550

Thanks John. I thought that would be the answer. Guess I better look at cost. Was assuming that it came with bike and car mount however - as my 550 and 2610 before that did. Strange if it doesn't.

 

[John Armstrong]

Was assuming that it came with bike and car mount however - as my 550 and 2610 before that did. Strange if it doesn't.

They do, but if you have a TT etc mount for the 550, then it won't fit the 660 easily AFAIK. The traffic receivers and autocom swap from one to the other though

 

[Borderbob]

They do, but if you have a TT etc mount for the 550, then it won't fit the 660 easily AFAIK. The traffic receivers and autocom swap from one to the other though

Yes I see it does come with a mount that I can fix onto the RAM set up I have. Cant afford a TT mount! The one that came with the 550 sufficed (though I did have to get Garmin to replace the car mount!)

Assuming that the power lead I've got wired in can just be connected to the new 660 mount? Along with the lead to my Starcom. I think the Garmin power lead is compatable. Anyone know?

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
Just my pennies worth If I had to replace my 660 , I would not buy a Garmin again for lots of reason. To many to list... I would go back to TomTom.

Just my pennies worth.

 

[John Armstrong]

Assuming that the power lead I've got wired in can just be connected to the new 660 mount? Along with the lead to my Starcom. I think the Garmin power lead is compatable. Anyone know?

Different power lead from the 550 to 660. IIRC the 550 unscrews from the mount, the 660's doesn't. But one should come in the box with the bike mount.

 

[Borderbob]

Different power lead from the 550 to 660. IIRC the 550 unscrews from the mount, the 660's doesn't. But one should come in the box with the bike mount.

Thanks for that. OK so I guess its tank off and run a new lead if I go for this option. Not difficult I know just hassle.

 

[Sleepy]

Hi All
Just my pennies worth If I had to replace my 660 , I would not buy a Garmin again for lots of reason. To many to list... I would go back to TomTom.

Just my pennies worth.

I on the other hand, wouldn't touch a Tom Tom with a barge pole, my 550 has performed faultlessly for the past four years, and I'd certainly buy another (550).
The 'lack' of memory is easily overcome with an SD card... unfortunately not everybody knows this, so don't get the best from their unit.

 

[Borderbob]

Hi All
Just my pennies worth If I had to replace my 660 , I would not buy a Garmin again for lots of reason. To many to list... I would go back to TomTom.

Just my pennies worth.

That's my problem. I too have had loads of disappointment with Garmin units and witnessed others with the same or similar. I want them to respond quickly on the road, satisfying to use, reliable, use a well designed interface, be programmable from a computer with intuitive software that work quickly....am I asking too much? Will a 660 provide with this? Will a Tom Tom Rider?

 

[richie]

That's my problem. I too have had loads of disappointment with Garmin units and witnessed others with the same or similar. I want them to respond quickly on the road, satisfying to use, reliable, use a well designed interface, be programmable from a computer with intuitive software that work quickly....am I asking too much? Will a 660 provide with this? Will a Tom Tom Rider?

I may be behind the times.... But I would not get a TomTom simply because you cannot configure routes etc from your computer...

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

I have a Nuvi550 and still think my GPS60C was clearer and faster to use...

 

[Borderbob]

I on the other hand, wouldn't touch a Tom Tom with a barge pole, my 550 has performed faultlessly for the past four years, and I'd certainly buy another (550).
The 'lack' of memory is easily overcome with an SD card... unfortunately not everybody knows this, so don't get the best from their unit.

Agree about memory and SD card - that's never been a problem for me. But I've now had a 2610, a Zumo 550 and currently still have a Nuvi. All 3 units have had to be replaced as faulty by Garmin, plus one mount and now again the Nuvi is playing up. (They do have fantastic after sales support yes.) I'd like to think its just me but the trouble is I know several people who have had major problems (in Europe last year, 5 people on the same trip!). On the other hand I don't know anyone who has got a Tom Tom Rider. Why? BUT I've never met anyone who has a problem with a Tom Tom car version. So I'm interested.

 

[AndrewD]

If I 'HAD' to replace my Garmin (I have a 660 used to have a 550) I'd get the 660.

However now having an Iphone, faced with a £400 outlay, I'd buy an Iphone and add either TT or another routing app. You can get a water proof case for £30 and the only issue is that with a conductive screen it does not like gloves.

I do lots of long distance stuff so the Garmin with Mapsource has been excellent (even though in convoy routes get called "Davies detours" ) but for day to day use with shorter trips the Iphone will do the job and you'll have an item you use EVERY day!

 

[sven]

I've had both Garmin and Tomtom products for the bike and car and Tomtom wins hands down.

The routing is better and the user interface is more intuitive. My TT Rider 2 has worked flawlessly for over 3 years now and will be heading to Morocco next year as TT maps are available for there.

You can plan routes on your PC using either TT Home or, better still, Autoroute and ITN Converter which is quicker and easier to use than Mapsource

 

[Poley]

OK so I guess its tank off and run a new lead if I go for this option. Not difficult I know just hassle.

On a 1200GS (and GSA too I believe), you have two options to avoid this - wire it to the GPS power socket or run the lead down the side of the tank. No need to remove the tank, just the side panels.

With the 660 cradle that comes with the unit, the only negative is that the wiring loom from the back of the cradle splits into multiple leads - power, audio out, microphone, FM antenna. If you aren't using these, there's a lot of cabling that you have to stash somewhere. AndyW modified his loom to reduce redundant cabling.

 

[swissrob]

i have a 550 and when it dies i will not be buying another.. i will go for a tomtom

 

[rodders]

I have had a 550 since 2008 ,have lifetime updates which I do frequently, all of europe on the sd card and have never had it fail to update and it has never crashed( hopefully sods law isn't going to kick in)

 

[grayinthestores]

I have a 660 and its great replaced my old Quest 2, 2 years ago and its neaver missed a beat.

 

[John Armstrong]

i have a 550 and when it dies i will not be buying another.. i will go for a tomtom

My new car has a tomtom. I'd be very wary of buying one for the bike. Maybe its the cheapest model, but some of the logic it uses is completely infuriating.